ESCUDIER RAPID EXPANSION PART B ARTICLE 2 OF 5 PAGE 1 RED WINE VINIFICATION, RAPID-EXPANSION (PART B) Jean-Louis ESCUDIER INRA, UE Œnologie, IPV-ISSV Pech Rouge, 11430 Gruissan NOTE: THIS IS THE SECOND ARTICLE IN A 5 PART SERIES BY ESCUDIER 1.4. Red wine vinifications 1.4.1. Conditions Destemming The negative properties of the stems are well known, especially if they are added to the character of the grape (acidity, bitterness, etc). It is not desirable to extract their components. Thus, it is necessary to thoroughly destem. All experiments were carried out with grape batches from homogenous plots that were manually harvested in wooden tubs with 50 Kg capacities. The traditionally vinified batch (named control) was fermented on skins for 10 days under controlled temperature (maintained between 27 C 30 C; 81-86 F) and pumping over once a day. A destemmer from Egretier and a pneumatic press from Vaslin- Bucher were used, for destemming and pressing, respectively. 3 g/hl (0.25-lb/1000 gal) of SO 2 and 20 g/hl (1.67-lb/1000 gal) of LSA Fermivin (DSM) active dried yeast were added to the homogenous batches. The Rapid-Expansion batches were heated for 4 mins at 90 C (194 F) and immediately cooled to 25 C (77 F) under vacuum. Following this, the vinification was carried out in the same way as the reference control batch (same durations, same temperatures, same pumping over). 1.4.2. Enological consequences Composition The analysis of Syrah (Shiraz) wines made with or without Rapid-Expansion is given as an example in table 2. Same results were obtained with Carignan, Merlot, and wines of several vintages. The Rapid-Expansion wine underwent a partial concentration in this case. The compositional difference of the wines is particularly marked regarding the gain in phenolic compounds and dry extract, which were both increased in the Rapid-Expansion wine. An evaluation of the polyphenols was carried out according to the indices suggested by Glories (1978). Overall, the qualitative indices (expressed as percentages) remained comparable between the two wines. However, the quantitative indices (expressed as concentration or absorbance units) were clearly higher for the Rapid-Expansion wine (table 3). Thus, it seems that this new technique extracts the different polyphenols in similar proportions to classic vinifications, but with a higher yield. With 3 years of experience, it can be noticed that Rapid-Expansion extracts between 30 to 60% more polyphenols than the control, even if the latter underwent a traditional 3- week maceration with destemmed grapes.
ESCUDIER RAPID EXPANSION PART B ARTICLE 2 OF 5 PAGE 2 Table 2 : Comparison of the composition of Syrah (Shiraz) wines produced with or without Rapid-Expansion with samples taken 6 months after filling. Parameter Syrah Rapid-Expansion Syrah Gordon why are you taking off the destemmed? Density g/l 0,9933 0,9927 Dry extract g/l 31,0 27,1 Ash g/l 3,1 2,5 Alkalinity mg/l 32,7 27,2 Sugars g/l 0,9 0,7 Alcohol % vol. 12,90 12,20 Glycerol g/l 9,2 8,6 ph 3,70 3,60 Total Acidity g/l H 2 SO 4 3,50 3,15 Volatile Acidity g/l H 2 SO 4 0,35 0,36 Tartaric Acid g/l H 2 SO 4 2,05 1,80 Lactic Acid g/l 2,25 1,95 Malolactic fermentation completed completed free SO 2 mg/l 34 19 total SO 2 mg/l 76 43 K + mg/l 1,47 1,07 Na + mg/l 16 22 Ca ++ mg/l 68 63 Fe mg/l 1,6 1,5 Cu mg/l 0,33 0,12 Mg mg/l 200 174 Mn mg/l 2,40 2,00
ESCUDIER RAPID EXPANSION PART B ARTICLE 2 OF 5 PAGE 3 Table 3 : Polyphenolic composition of Syrah (Shiraz) wines produced with or without Rapid-Expansion with samples taken 6 months after filling. Parameter Anthocyanin composition Total anthocyanins mg/l PVP Index % Ionization Index % Free anthocyanins mg/l Anth. combined with tannins mg/l Coloured anthocyanins mg/l Heating Index % Polymerized pigments Index % Tannin Composition Procyanidines g/l Abs. 280 nm x dil. Folin Ciocalteu Index Procyanidines/Anthocyanins HCl precipitated tannins % Gelatin precipitated tannins % Ethanol precipitated tannins % Non-dialyzed tannins after 3 days % Non-polymers polymers % Colour Colour intensity A420 + A520 + A620 10 mm Hue A420/A520 Abs 420 % Abs 520 % Abs 620 % Syrah Rapid- Expansion 836 39 33 508 328 276 29 51 4,55 83,4 350 5,43 36 67 11 31 73-27 23,83 0,54 30 56 14 Syrah same comment 601 31 29 414 187 174 26 49 3,10 58 258 5,12 27 68 13 27 76-25 15,28 0,55 30 56 14
ESCUDIER RAPID EXPANSION PART B ARTICLE 2 OF 5 PAGE 4 Table 4 summarizes results obtained with the variety in different appellation areas of Southern France. Table 5 shows results obtained for four red grape varieties of the Corbièrs appellation from the 1998 vintage, which was of very good quality. The Rapid-Expansion batch underwent a partial concentration since the condensates formed during the vacuum treatment were not reintroduced into the grapes. Stability over time It is known that wines made by heat treatments and subsequent liquid phase fermentations yield well coloured wines but that the stability of the colour is limited to 6-12 months. It has been verified with different grape varieties that the wines produced by Rapid- Expansion had a very good colour stability over time. The gain in polyphenol extraction and colour, which is generally around 30-60% when compared with traditionally vinified wines, is maintained over time in the same proportions. The studies have been carried out for the last four years. Botrytis cinerea affected grapes The evaluation of this method was done with healthy but also with affected grapes. The classic heat treatment for grapes (70 C (158 F) for 20 minutes) is equal to 1.2 seconds at 91 C (196 F) regarding the inactivation of laccase. Thus, at the conditions prevailing during Rapid-Expansion (4 mins at 90 C (194 F)) the oxidative activities, including those caused by Botrytis, are theoretically inhibited. A confirmation for this was obtained in 1997 by the measurement of the laccase activity prior to and after Rapid- Expansion.
ESCUDIER RAPID EXPANSION PART B ARTICLE 2 OF 5 PAGE 5 Table 4 : Study of (values in parentheses are gal/acre; T 0, time zero, i.e. at filling; A.O.C., controlled appellation of origin, V.d.P., regional wine) Parameter Variety / Plot Massif de la Clape 1993 Vintage Rapid-Expansion A.O.C. Corbières Premultiplication Massif de la Clape 1994 vintage Rapid-Expansion A.O.C. Corbières Premultiplication - Yield/hl/ha - Anth. content/kg berries - Tannin content g /kg berries Wine dry extract g/l 41 hl/ha (438) 22 210 43 x 25 260 46 42 hl/ha (449) 0,804 g/kg 24,8 250 49 5,34 g/kg 29,2 270 53 Anthocyanins mg/l and OD 280 at T 0 + 6 months 72 hl/ha (770) 26,8 200 8,2 Massif de la Clape 1995 vintage 0,82 g/kg 42 Rapid-Expansion A.O.C. Corbières 5,00 g/kg 30,7 300 9,7 Premultiplication 52 65 hl/ha (695) 29,3 240 5,2 Massif de la Clape 1995 vintage 0,65 g/kg 44 Rapid-Expansion A.O.C. Corbières 4,45 g/kg 30,2 320 7,4 grand bellevue 53 65 hl/ha (695) 380 1,10 Colour Intensity at T 0 + 6 months 3,8 4,6 5,5 8,9
ESCUDIER RAPID EXPANSION PART B ARTICLE 2 OF 5 PAGE 6 A.O.C. Côte du Rhône 1,08 g/kg 46 1995 vintage Rapid-Expansion 460 51 12,2 90 hl/ha (962) 25,2 x 5,3 V.d.P. Gard 1994 vintage x 41 Rapid-Expansion 26,3 x x 47 5,6 30 hl/ha (321) 24,2 200 6,5 Massif de la Clape 1994 vintage 0,06 g/kg 32 Rapid-Expansion e A.O.C. Corbières grand bellevue 3,21 g/kg 26,1 260 45 7,6
ESCUDIER RAPID EXPANSION PART B ARTICLE 2 OF 5 PAGE 7 Table 5 : Study of (RE, Rapid-Expansion) CARIGNAN GRENACHE RE RE Classic Analyses ph 3,53 3,65 3,82 3,86 Alcohol (% vol.) 12,44 12,45 15,07 14,01 Potassium (mg/l) free SO 2 (mg/l) 21 21 20 23 Total acidity H 2 SO 4 (mg/l) 3,52 3,0 3,32 2,8 Polyphenol Analyses Total Anthocyanins (mg/l) 770 603 251 235 Free Anthocyanins (mg/l) 516 407 189 162 PVPP Index 33 32 25 31 Anthocyanins/tannins (mg/l) 254 196 62 73 Ionisation Index 20 13 11 8 Polymerized Pigments Index 35 44 48 60 Coloured Anthocyanins (mg/l) 157 81 28 18 A 420 3,36 2,78 1,45 1,32 A 520 6,44 4,47 1,59 1,2 A 620 1,16 1,05 0,49 0,39 Heating Index 10,96 8,3 3,53 2,91 Hue 0,52 0,62 0,91 1,10 HCl Index 2 26 24 17 Procyanidines mg/l 2473 1998 1690 1390 Gelatin Index 70 74 59 82 A 280 51,4 47 41,96 31,0 Ethanol Index 5 6 14 12 Dialysis Index 15 24 25 22 MOURVEDRE SYRAH (SHIRAZ) RE RE Classic Analyses ph 3,6 3,59 3,94 3,82 Alcohol (% vol.) 12,79 12,73 12,8 12,55 Potassium (mg/l) free SO 2 (mg/l) 33 32 33 20 Total acidity H 2 SO 4 (mg/l) 4,49 4,6 2,67 3,2
ESCUDIER RAPID EXPANSION PART B ARTICLE 2 OF 5 PAGE 8 Polyphenol Analyses Total Anthocyanins (mg/l) 587 494 1059 886 Free Anthocyanins (mg/l) 280 244 607 514 PVPP Index 52 50,5 43 42 Anthocyanins/tannins (mg/l) 307 249 452 372 Ionisation Index 22 18 14 15 Polymerized Pigments Index 52 50 52 42 Coloured Anthocyanins (mg/l) 131 91 145 132 A 420 4,36 3,12 5,13 3,75 A 520 6,46 4,05 7,72 5,87 A 620 1,75 1,23 2,28 1,46 Heating Index 12,57 8,4 15,13 11,08 Hue 0,67 0,77 0,66 0,64 HCl Index 35 37 23 29 Procyanidines mg/l 4576 3370 2974 1654 Gelatin Index 74 81 58 47 A 280 82,3 57,1 79,8 55,6 Ethanol Index 14 9 4 6 Dialysis Index 24 16 20 14
ESCUDIER RAPID EXPANSION PART B ARTICLE 2 OF 5 PAGE 9 Organoleptic Aspects The wines produced from Rapid-Expansion treated grapes are more coloured and have a better texture. The astringency is higher, however, without increased bitterness or acidity compared with the control. A sensation of fullness, even sweetness is often experienced. These wines are often different regarding their aromas when compared with the controls, essentially because their concentration gives them a better protection from oxidation. In account of the non-selectivity of the Rapid-Expansion method, the quality of the raw material is the prime criterion to be taken into account. Insufficiently ripe grapes, grapes with insufficient content in polyphenols, or insufficiently destemmed grapes will have their unfavourable qualitative impact highlighted by the Rapid-Expansion method. The wines made by Rapid-Expansion from quality raw material harvested at ripeness will be distinguishable and preferred most often because of their texture, color, and roundness in the mouth with good respect of their character. The qualitative benefit has already led to significant applications and further development of the method. About ten units are currently installed in various viticultural areas in France and the rest of Europe. Maintaining the Character The method does not lead to a standardization of wine quality. However, the varietal character of Cabernet-Sauvignon or Syrah (Shiraz) is easily recognized. In a study done in 1994, two harvests of Carignan grapes proceeding from vines with very different yields (50 and 90 hl/ha; 534 and 962 gal/acre) were compared. The two Rapid-Expansion wines were better structured than the respective controls while having their overall character. The wines made by Rapid-Expansion were quite different from each other: one with a herbaceous and hard character; the other one fruitier with finer tannins (Escudier et al., 1995). Numerous evaluations carried out in controlled appellation of origin areas in France since 1998 have validated the typical character of Rapid-Expansion produced wines regarding the varieties planted in these zones. Conclusion The Rapid-Expansion method uses strong vacuum and targets the interaction with grape skins for a better extraction, along with other techniques, including enzyme utilization, special vats, final hot maceration, and long skin contact times. The experiments carried out at INRA since 1993 and the evaluations obtained for a long list of grape varieties at industrial scale wineries highlight the following points: -The extractions are significantly increased, even compared with long skin contact times. -No marked selective effects can be found. The extraction gains are general and affect the totality of macromolecules of the wine as long as the vinification and fermentation are carried out with the grapes and with a sufficiently long skin contact fermentation (e.g. depletion of sugars). - In account of the non-selectivity of the Rapid-Expansion method, the quality of the raw material is the prime criterion to be taken into account. Grapes that are insufficient in
ESCUDIER RAPID EXPANSION PART B ARTICLE 2 OF 5 PAGE 10 ripeness or polyphenols or poorly destemmed always have an adverse impact but the Rapid-Extraction method will further amplify it. - The wines made by Rapid-Expansion from healthy raw material harvested at ripeness will be distinguishable and preferred most often because of their texture, their color and their roundness in the mouth with good respect of their character. The qualitative benefit has encouraged and already led to a significant industrial implementation and further development of the method: about ten facilities in Bordeaux, Côtes du Rhône, Languedoc, Provence, and now South America. This technology was initiated by INRA and Aurore Développment and is developed for enology by Imeca Della Toffola.